I got to tell you, I usually advocate AGAINST diff lockers. As a retired Auto Mechanic, I understand the added strain that puts on the drivetrain, stress on the motor and ESC in curves (ESPECIALLY mechanical speed controllers), and more rapid tire wear...... IN HEAVIER VEHICLES. However - in light Buggies, like Hornet/Grasshopper, and all its variants, the opposite is true! I can even throw in the CW-01's too. You are absolutely correct that on sharp turns, the inner rear tire lifts and spins like crazy, significantly wearing the tires out one at a time! Stock form, they never really "bite" powering out of corners. Your kit here, is genius in its simplest form! Joe got that design right! Between you guys, you have strengthened up the only weak link, in perhaps the most durable gearbox in the R/C World!! 👍👍 Contrary to my original theory, locking THIS diff, will REDUCE tire wear over the original! Also, should be tighter out of corners as well. Also, on CW-01 wheelie Trucks, this should eliminate the pulling left or right, when up on two wheels!! Anyone who's had a Lunchbox/Pumpkin type lose directional control in a wheelie - usually ALWAYS sending it towards the nearest solid object - will appreciate this. This simple little gizmo will INCREASE the durability and handling of these legendary thrashers! That's the mechanical endorsement. Basically, this will make these simple and fun Rigs, even MORE fun and even simpler! More durable too..... Thank you for this one! ~ Carmine
I totally agree. This is why I yelled at my friend for welding the diff in his El Camino. Totally idiotic for a car he drove to work. Wait until you see the video!
OMG! That's ElCo ABUSE!! I should take it off his hands immediately - and put in a proper 12-bolt Posi. 😲😎 Also by heavier vehicles, I also meant R/C too...... Like locking the front diff in trail trucks like the CC-01. You've just killed the steering(what little it had!)! You'll also wonder why you keep burning out motors. 👎😠 I've designed a simple fix for this..... Take the stock diff, which is mostly sealed anyway, take the cover off of it, and nearly fill it with Associated(or similar) BALL diff grease. I use 120,000wt. Put a light ring of RTV Silicone adhesive around the diff cap, and install with the 3 screws. Then, reinstall the diff. DONE! The super heavyweight diff grease is SO thick and sticky, that it makes the stock diff act more like a Positraction!!! To test, I removed the rear driveshaft, and ran over a series of obstacles, designed to lift one front wheel off the ground. With only ONE wheel pulling at spots, it kept pulling! The wheel off of the ground only spun a little bit faster (as opposed to stopping with the wheel off the ground spinning until it balloons). 😀 I encourage everyone to try it. The WORST thing - you don't like it, and just wash out the diff! Locked diffs should be for Rock Crawling, Tractor Pulling and Drag Racing ONLY.
I have done that with a few cars but not the CC01. I will try it there as soon as I muster the courage to put it back on the road. I have an unnatural hatred of it.
My friend, if I lived any closer, I would be happy to do it for you! I'd also do my SOLID steering mod, which is easier to do than describe. I have STILL had no steering slop in my CC-01! 👍👍😎 You know what that rig REALLY needs? a bellcrank that's got the steering arm a solid part of the BOTTOM of the shaft, instead of the top. The top arm needs to solidly attach to the top of the bellcrank shaft with a 4 or 5 sided slip joint..... AND, that upper arm and shaft should have a hole, straight through the arm and shaft - for either a drift pin or grub screw. It COULD be made out SLS, but Stainless Steel would be FAR better. SO......... do YOU know anyone who might be able to design such a thing?? 😲 😲 😲 There are MANY frustrated CC-01 owners who would be so grateful!
Hi there! I have purchased a bunch of your Hornet parts from shapeways and they’re all great. This piece is definitely my favorite! I put a tamiya 10.5t brushless motor in the car, because why not ;) It was fun while it lasted, but I managed to strip the splines on the driveshaft, where it holds that little hex nut that inserts into your locker. Are you aware of an improved driveshaft so that I can continue living out my boyhood dreams while I’m in my 40’s? Many thanks!
Will this help to get the back end out and cause the car to have a tendency to oversteer as apposed to understeer? Because I really don't like the understeer that my Grasshopper gets. Also will the double wishbone front suspension help add more front grip and reduce understeer too? I'd really like to get it to the point where it consistently oversteer every time it loses traction. And which other mods (both by you and other sellers) would you recommend if I want it to be better handling and more oversteery?
This makes the back of the grasshopper way too loose. I am not a fan of this spool but I had a ton of people request it. The ampro front end does help the front end and they way I have it set up it does understeer a bit. As for better handling, thats not really a trait of the grasshopper. Part of its charm is how badly it handles. If you want a car that handles well then I would go for a more modern Tamiya buggy.
That's a pretty good idea, for light Buggies, where traction is scarce! Diff locking big, heavy 4X4s is just stupid... but for something like a Hopper or Hornet, it's brilliant!
Would it be possible to modify this so that you kept the diff gears in place. So the diff had a thin outer casing that could be used to lock thick gear diff grease inside? Similar to the gear diff used in the DT-02 or Rising Fighter gear Diff?
OldfartRC I'm just thinking of a hollowed out version of these two pieces. so they are just like cups to hold in the grease. So it would use a lot less material and should be cheaper than these to parts?
Hey Tim, great minds think alike. I tried that initially and it worked....until the first jump when an explosion was heard. The nylon had to be very thin and the impact split it. Maybe ABS would work but until shapeways can sell that, this version is safe and solid. Thank you for the input. I thought I was the only one that would have wanted that.
True but that would mean another part would be needed and drive up cost. There is no play with this geometry in the diff (took a couple of attempts) and it worked out nicely. Soon Shapeways will offer organic rubber so that will change many things!
Depending on the surface you run in (sand for example), it will improve traction. High speed running on hard surfaces is no good. I run this when I go to the beach in my Pumpkin. It is a massive improvement.
Sorry man, AU has always been an issue. Shapeways manages all the shipping. Good thing is that usually the shipping is fixed so if there are other things you want, that will offset the cost of the locker.
@@AMPROEngineering Ok, I appreciate the reply. Will work it out & see if I want to get something else at the same time. Informative video too by the way, thanks.
Thank you Ryan. The CW01 is the chassis designation of the Midnight Pumpkin, Lunchbox and several others that use different bodies on the same chassis. This also works on all cars that use that transmission like the Hornet, Grasshopper, Super Hornet and so on.
Well that is up for debate. I do not great my gear in general since they are nylon and self lubricating. Some greases are ok but other deteriorate the plastic. You wont obviously need to grease the area where the spool goes but as for the rest, leave what you have in there, just clean out the area with the locker. Hope that helps!
Ohh, clever design but I guess I have to get used to the idea of looking a diff in a buggy. Never done it. I like locked diffs in slow models, like trail trucks. Hmm, I am no engineer but I would have thought that cornering with a buggy/race car would be worse with a locked diff, causing a lot of oversteer. But I guess if bad balance of a Hornet/Hopper causes one wheel to lift cornering ... I can see the benefits.
I also haven't on a car I run offroad. My work hornet is all onroad and it made a really nice change on the corners handling. You are totally correct, it will over steer but the hornet has a weird turning characteristic when onroad. Hard turns can almost bring the car to a stop. The locked diff make turning way more predictable. I will make a video. I had been meaning to but simply had no time. I still won't run this on my offroad cars but the street car is a fun upgrade.
Could be a bit of a noob question here but why bother with a diff in the first place? Seems like it's worse for performance unless it's a proper design for a tarmac car.
The grasshopper/hornet and CW-01 cars are terrible in the handling department in general. Without a diff, the cars on hard surfaces would be even worse. On a hard surface, the lack of a diff will further hinder the cars ability to steer and when it does, it will hop even more than it usually does when just accelerating. The lack of diff only helps on loose surfaces since it will make sure power is distributed evenly.
I have never driven one but I have been told that's a problem with the Hornet .. maybe I need to buy one for the beach :) any chance you will be making anything for the cc01? it could do with a bit more front end ground clearance
Dude all you need is a blob of chewing gum and a minute of your time. Open one side wedge your gum or other rubber compound into the diff gears shut it all back up and boom. Oh well I guess they were simpler times.
I got to tell you, I usually advocate AGAINST diff lockers. As a retired Auto Mechanic, I understand the added strain that puts on the drivetrain, stress on the motor and ESC in curves (ESPECIALLY mechanical speed controllers), and more rapid tire wear...... IN HEAVIER VEHICLES.
However - in light Buggies, like Hornet/Grasshopper, and all its variants, the opposite is true! I can even throw in the CW-01's too.
You are absolutely correct that on sharp turns, the inner rear tire lifts and spins like crazy, significantly wearing the tires out one at a time! Stock form, they never really "bite" powering out of corners. Your kit here, is genius in its simplest form! Joe got that design right!
Between you guys, you have strengthened up the only weak link, in perhaps the most durable gearbox in the R/C World!! 👍👍
Contrary to my original theory, locking THIS diff, will REDUCE tire wear over the original! Also, should be tighter out of corners as well. Also, on CW-01 wheelie Trucks, this should eliminate the pulling left or right, when up on two wheels!! Anyone who's had a Lunchbox/Pumpkin type lose directional control in a wheelie - usually ALWAYS sending it towards the nearest solid object - will appreciate this. This simple little gizmo will INCREASE the durability and handling of these legendary thrashers!
That's the mechanical endorsement. Basically, this will make these simple and fun Rigs, even MORE fun and even simpler! More durable too.....
Thank you for this one!
~ Carmine
I totally agree. This is why I yelled at my friend for welding the diff in his El Camino. Totally idiotic for a car he drove to work. Wait until you see the video!
OMG! That's ElCo ABUSE!! I should take it off his hands immediately - and put in a proper 12-bolt Posi. 😲😎
Also by heavier vehicles, I also meant R/C too......
Like locking the front diff in trail trucks like the CC-01. You've just killed the steering(what little it had!)! You'll also wonder why you keep burning out motors. 👎😠
I've designed a simple fix for this.....
Take the stock diff, which is mostly sealed anyway, take the cover off of it, and nearly fill it with Associated(or similar) BALL diff grease. I use 120,000wt. Put a light ring of RTV Silicone adhesive around the diff cap, and install with the 3 screws.
Then, reinstall the diff. DONE!
The super heavyweight diff grease is SO thick and sticky, that it makes the stock diff act more like a Positraction!!!
To test, I removed the rear driveshaft, and ran over a series of obstacles, designed to lift one front wheel off the ground.
With only ONE wheel pulling at spots, it kept pulling! The wheel off of the ground only spun a little bit faster (as opposed to stopping with the wheel off the ground spinning until it balloons). 😀
I encourage everyone to try it. The WORST thing - you don't like it, and just wash out the diff!
Locked diffs should be for Rock Crawling, Tractor Pulling and Drag Racing ONLY.
BTW, that trick works for ANY sealed-type differentials. Especially beneficial in Touring Cars and Rallys!
I have done that with a few cars but not the CC01. I will try it there as soon as I muster the courage to put it back on the road. I have an unnatural hatred of it.
My friend, if I lived any closer, I would be happy to do it for you! I'd also do my SOLID steering mod, which is easier to do than describe.
I have STILL had no steering slop in my CC-01! 👍👍😎
You know what that rig REALLY needs? a bellcrank that's got the steering arm a solid part of the BOTTOM of the shaft, instead of the top.
The top arm needs to solidly attach to the top of the bellcrank shaft with a 4 or 5 sided slip joint.....
AND, that upper arm and shaft should have a hole, straight through the arm and shaft - for either a drift pin or grub screw.
It COULD be made out SLS, but Stainless Steel would be FAR better.
SO......... do YOU know anyone who might be able to design such a thing?? 😲 😲 😲
There are MANY frustrated CC-01 owners who would be so grateful!
Just made homemade diff lock from watching how you did it and way better and stronger thanks for sharing this one ampro 😊😊😊😊😊
Sure thing!
Dang, i'm getting behind in watching these videos! I can watch 3 in a row now!!!
Hahahha!
Thats great! Mine is waiting too. I want to try mine with longer rods and brushless.
Holy cow! Brushless!?
Dude I been trying to think of a way to do this for a while! Awesome! Shapeways getting all my hobby money this week rofl
They already have all mine! haha!
Love the channel!
Well thank you!
Great idea!!!
Buying a couple very soon.
Thanks for a great video and product
Thanks Max, glad you liked it!
I have one of Joe's lockers, but never got a four link.
I have the 4 link and need to try it out. He made that as I was designing the IRS for SuperFly 2.
Hi there! I have purchased a bunch of your Hornet parts from shapeways and they’re all great. This piece is definitely my favorite! I put a tamiya 10.5t brushless motor in the car, because why not ;) It was fun while it lasted, but I managed to strip the splines on the driveshaft, where it holds that little hex nut that inserts into your locker. Are you aware of an improved driveshaft so that I can continue living out my boyhood dreams while I’m in my 40’s? Many thanks!
Wow! That is fast! Mine still has the stock motor! Sadly I do not know of any other options for the driveshaft. Sorry!
Will this help to get the back end out and cause the car to have a tendency to oversteer as apposed to understeer? Because I really don't like the understeer that my Grasshopper gets. Also will the double wishbone front suspension help add more front grip and reduce understeer too? I'd really like to get it to the point where it consistently oversteer every time it loses traction. And which other mods (both by you and other sellers) would you recommend if I want it to be better handling and more oversteery?
This makes the back of the grasshopper way too loose. I am not a fan of this spool but I had a ton of people request it. The ampro front end does help the front end and they way I have it set up it does understeer a bit. As for better handling, thats not really a trait of the grasshopper. Part of its charm is how badly it handles. If you want a car that handles well then I would go for a more modern Tamiya buggy.
That's a pretty good idea, for light Buggies, where traction is scarce! Diff locking big, heavy 4X4s is just stupid... but for something like a Hopper or Hornet, it's brilliant!
Strangely it works well on-road, especially if you like drifting and have bald tires.
Will you make a diff locker for the blackfoot/mb transmission as well?
Would it be possible to modify this so that you kept the diff gears in place. So the diff had a thin outer casing that could be used to lock thick gear diff grease inside? Similar to the gear diff used in the DT-02 or Rising Fighter gear Diff?
Sounds like a LOT of fabrication, but anything's possible!
OldfartRC I'm just thinking of a hollowed out version of these two pieces. so they are just like cups to hold in the grease. So it would use a lot less material and should be cheaper than these to parts?
Hey Tim, great minds think alike. I tried that initially and it worked....until the first jump when an explosion was heard. The nylon had to be very thin and the impact split it. Maybe ABS would work but until shapeways can sell that, this version is safe and solid. Thank you for the input. I thought I was the only one that would have wanted that.
AMPRO Engineering That's a shame. I was hoping if this worked the same technique could also be used on my beloved Wild One!
Tim Baker - What you could do for the Wild One (which I want so bad it hurts), is see if any ball diffs are available for it.
You could make some rubber bumper inside the locked differential to absorb the torque shocks.
True but that would mean another part would be needed and drive up cost. There is no play with this geometry in the diff (took a couple of attempts) and it worked out nicely. Soon Shapeways will offer organic rubber so that will change many things!
Would love something like this for the ORV chassis.
Oh they have that. The original Brat/Lancia had lockers in them.
The black sheet in your desk, it's not ribbed rubber sheet but is it plastic?
Yeah it is flooring.
Honestly, what advantages does this give? Does it affect battery life or torque?
Depending on the surface you run in (sand for example), it will improve traction. High speed running on hard surfaces is no good. I run this when I go to the beach in my Pumpkin. It is a massive improvement.
Will the transmission differential locker hold out with brushless 9t or 12t motor?
It should but I don't know about shock. Are you jumping it or pulling?
Any cheaper shipping options to Australia? I want one for my Hornet but cant justify the cost of shipping!
Sorry man, AU has always been an issue. Shapeways manages all the shipping. Good thing is that usually the shipping is fixed so if there are other things you want, that will offset the cost of the locker.
@@AMPROEngineering Ok, I appreciate the reply. Will work it out & see if I want to get something else at the same time. Informative video too by the way, thanks.
I was lucky enough to get one of his four links for lunch box
I also have one waiting for me to install it!
Hello love your vids you said this would work on all Cw01what does this mean new to hobby
Thank you Ryan. The CW01 is the chassis designation of the Midnight Pumpkin, Lunchbox and several others that use different bodies on the same chassis. This also works on all cars that use that transmission like the Hornet, Grasshopper, Super Hornet and so on.
Any idea if this will work for a Rising fighter transmission?
Sadly no, they are very different transmissions.
no but it will work on a 92 Jetta.
Cool mod option!
I totally agree. Joe's idea works great.
I bought mine off E bay. I love it, my only problem is when my lunchbox pulls a wheelie it pulls to one side and rolls over.
Wow, brushless?
No factory brushed 540
Wow.
get a Traxxas 1/10 wheelie bar, its easy to fit and it stops this from happening
Hey, do you need gear grease with this mod ?
Well that is up for debate. I do not great my gear in general since they are nylon and self lubricating. Some greases are ok but other deteriorate the plastic. You wont obviously need to grease the area where the spool goes but as for the rest, leave what you have in there, just clean out the area with the locker. Hope that helps!
Ohh, clever design but I guess I have to get used to the idea of looking a diff in a buggy. Never done it. I like locked diffs in slow models, like trail trucks. Hmm, I am no engineer but I would have thought that cornering with a buggy/race car would be worse with a locked diff, causing a lot of oversteer. But I guess if bad balance of a Hornet/Hopper causes one wheel to lift cornering ... I can see the benefits.
I also haven't on a car I run offroad. My work hornet is all onroad and it made a really nice change on the corners handling. You are totally correct, it will over steer but the hornet has a weird turning characteristic when onroad. Hard turns can almost bring the car to a stop. The locked diff make turning way more predictable. I will make a video. I had been meaning to but simply had no time. I still won't run this on my offroad cars but the street car is a fun upgrade.
Would be cool with a demonstrational video!
Could be a bit of a noob question here but why bother with a diff in the first place? Seems like it's worse for performance unless it's a proper design for a tarmac car.
The grasshopper/hornet and CW-01 cars are terrible in the handling department in general. Without a diff, the cars on hard surfaces would be even worse. On a hard surface, the lack of a diff will further hinder the cars ability to steer and when it does, it will hop even more than it usually does when just accelerating. The lack of diff only helps on loose surfaces since it will make sure power is distributed evenly.
There should be a diff lock for the Wild One /FAV, too!
I may need to look into that. My FAV trans it at MIP right now.
U got a diff lock that would work on Tamiya's mf-01x?
Not right now. I actually dont have an MF01
@@AMPROEngineering darn be nice to do that to the front and rear differential
@@AMPROEngineering should get one
"worlds greatest transmission"? you been huffing too much Tamiya glue buddy.
Haha, well they are indestructible but you are still right about the glue.
I may have to try this on my lunchbox, it has a tendency to hop from wheel to wheel at speed
That is the big problem I had with my road-going hornet. It's really bad in turns, even for a Hornet.
I have never driven one but I have been told that's a problem with the Hornet .. maybe I need to buy one for the beach :)
any chance you will be making anything for the cc01? it could do with a bit more front end ground clearance
This on the beach would be good! The CC01 is one of my projects so when I get to that, we shall see!
I thought they were called planetary gears?? My bad!
Easy mistake. Planetary gears are usually straight cut gears that are inside a outer ring and a small gear in the center.
Dude all you need is a blob of chewing gum and a minute of your time. Open one side wedge your gum or other rubber compound into the diff gears shut it all back up and boom. Oh well I guess they were simpler times.
Well that's one way for sure.
Poor Joe invented it. Then you stuck your name on it 😂😭🤣
Yeah he was over machining them.